Summer Road Trip

At the beginning of June I made a bucket list of all of the things we (meaning I) wanted to do this summer so we wouldn't look back and wonder where the time went, wishing we would have done more fun activities. One of the things on our list was to take a road trip, so over the 4th of July weekend we packed up the car and headed off to Nauvoo, IL for a little history adventure.

On our way there we stayed overnight in Indianapolis with some very gracious friends who let us crash in their lovely new home not long after the movers delivered all of their belongings following a move from Seattle. Literally, the movers were finishing setting up the beds when we drove up. I promise, we didn't know that would be the case when we made the arrangements. Ben had a blast playing with their three sons and the boys spent much of the time talking Legos and huddling over an iPad as they took turns playing games. Thank you again Caroline and Lincoln!

For those unfamiliar with Mormon history, Nauvoo was one of the original sites where Mormon pioneers settled in the mid-1800s. It's now a living history site where you can learn about how people lived in that time period, as well as about the people and events during Nauvoo's early days. In the top picture, Ben and Lucy are in front of the rebuilt Nauvoo Temple, which is situated in a stunning location on a bluff overlooking the mighty Mississippi River. Growing up near the Columbia River and guiding on the Snake River, one of my favorite parts of the trip was driving along the Mississippi. Truly spectacular.

Lucy sporting the latest pioneer fashion. They say the prairie look is making a comeback.

This picture makes me smile thinking of Andy's sister Charlotte, who donned a bonnet in honor of her pioneer ancestors as she and Betsy drove across Nebraska on a cross-country road trip a few years ago.

The boys trying their hand at pre-Angry Birds forms of entertainment

Ben discovered a new favorite form of recreation: climbing trees. This happens to be on a random patch of grass next to a truck stop McDonald's somewhere in the middle of Indiana. Other highlights of the trip were passing four trains as we drove and all the wildlife we spotted: A fox, a deer, ducks, geese, and the snapping turtle that Lucy almost stepped on because it was buried in the mud.

Visiting Carthage Jail

More old-timey games

Lucy bouncing around the room during a presentation about how bricks are made. Like a true nearly-two-year-old, she didn't sit too well for any of our subsequent visits to the blacksmith shop, barrel maker, or bakery. Thankfully it's all fairly kid friendly. Ben loved coming home with a horseshoe and a ring made out of a nail.

Party at the hotel pool. We arrived on a classic Midwest summer day (97 degrees and nearly 100% humidity) and needed a break from the stifling weather.

Doing a little mutton busting.

Maybe we can start training her to be a future Rodeo Queen. Kidding. I'm not going all Toddlers and Tiaras, but I do love a good rodeo and wish we could find one here in Ohio. The closest things we've got are the monster truck rally and demolition derby at this week's Franklin County Fair. On second thought, maybe those need to be added to the list.

What fun adventures have you had this summer? What would you still like to do before school starts again?